GREENSBORO - Six faculty members and an administrator at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University recently received the University’s highest teaching and administrative awards.

The teachers and administrator who were selected by their colleagues were recently recognized at the university’s annual Honors Day Convocation, where each received a plaque and stipend. The teachers received $1,000 and the administrator $500.

This year’s outstanding teachers are Dr. Sandra C. Alexander, College of Arts and Sciences; Dr. Marihelen Glass, School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences; Dr. Thaddeus McEwen, School of Business and Economics; Dr. Gloria Palma, School of Education; Dr. Robert B. Pyle, School of Technology; and Dr. Sonja Wilson, School of Nursing.

The outstanding administrator is Dr. Godfrey Uzochukw, School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.

Alexander is a professor in the English department. She maintains that educators are effective when they believe students want to learn and

willingly extend themselves to engage students in the learning process. She says that students are truly engaged in learning when they are transformed from “listeners” into “doers.”Glass is a professor of horticulture in the department of natural resources and environmental design. She believes that a good teacher is respectful and supportive of all students and sees the possibilities and strengths in all students. She adheres to the philosophy of William Butler Yeats, who stated, “Education is not filling the pail, but lighting the fire.”

McEwen is an associate professor in the department of business administration. He sets high standards for his students, holds them to those standards and provides enthusiastic support for student achievement. He is described by his dean and others as being a caring, dependable, cooperative, and very competitive performer, with an exemplary commitment to relevant, high quality instruction.

Palma, an associate professor in the department of health, physical education and recreation, believes that teachers should create a learning environment that fosters and respects cultural diversity. She believes that she must help her students develop positive attitudes toward the growing

ethnic diversity in their communities as well as help them understand the importance of ensuring that no child is left behind in their classrooms.

Pyle is a professor in the department of construction management and safety. His teaching philosophy is grounded in the constructivist theory that all students learn best when they are placed in an educational setting where they can use all of their senses in the teaching/learning process.

Wilson is an associate professor of nursing. A former nurse practitioner, her teaching philosophy is based n the words “caring and commitment,” which she says are the most valued elements in nursing. She believes that in order to teach students there must be a formal contract that includes the teacher and the learner.

Uzochukwu is a professor and director of the Waste Management Institute. He is a skilled professional with many years of service in his field of agriculture and environmental sciences. Using his core knowledge and history of the field, he has administratively moved the Waste Management Institute to the forefront. Through difficult times and budget cuts he has been able to keep the Institute competitive within the University, the state, as well as nationally.